Volks Dolpa - Dolls Party in LA 2017

Tempted to attend but I've been crazy busy running my own small business since resigning from my professional corporate career. I've been absent from the DOA since I cannot remember when. Good to see the same people still on the forum. Hello JennyNemesis long time no see.

I'm not looking to buy new dolls, not even accessories, if I attend, I'd be there to socialize, say hello, eat, enjoy myself. However, I'd have to take time off work. Sigh....I have to think about it.

 

Remember that most hotels just require a credit card to hold a reservations--and--check their policies!!, but most will allow you to cancel close to the event if you need to, without costing you a deposit. You can also adjust your reservation dates as it gets closer to the time--but more in canceling dates than adding, if indeed rooms will sell out fast... So if you are pretty sure you will go, it might be worth reserving hotel.

Luckily, I live in the area, so no hotel worries... But I didn't know about the room sales last time! I saw some items in the Lobby, though. I'll have to remember that there might be room sales or maybe just room meets this time...

I'm glad Volks seems to be trying to get these things rolling for those who need to make travel plans, though!

 

I have moved back to Canada (East Coast), so it's a long flight for me. I missed Volks at the NYC Comic Con because Comic Con changed the way tickets were issued and I was not able to get tickets. It is good that Volks is giving notice time for the dolpa for us to prepare. I have been to Anaheim LA 10 years ago, really loved it, stayed in the Doubeltree which is close by the Marriott. Room prices don't look very different between the two. Tentatively, I've set my mind to attend. I have not booked any room. I'm not in the market for dolls, but I like to meet people, admire every one else's dolls and take pictures. I assume there will be a good display of dolls at the dolpa. Oh yes, the one-offs.

I've never attended a Volks Dolpa except for IDEX event in Florida 2-3 years ago. I looked at the website and tea party tickets are not available. Are there any criteria for getting those tickets? Do we need tickets for the Sat day events? I don't want to attend the DD workshop. I would attend if that were a scaled model lacquer airbrush workshop. Volks is very much into scale models (fighter planes and mobile suits) but this a dolpa, I assume it's DD and SD only event.

 

I think we met briefly last year at the tea party! I won the YoSD White Rabbit one-off right before you were called. I'm hoping to make it into the tea party again this year, maybe we'll run into each other!

 

Oh! Yes, I think I remember you! I hope we make it in too . Be sure to say hi if you see me.

 

Found you guys! I've never been to a Dolpa before, so please excuse me for the dumb question I'm about to ask. How much is the event itself?

 

In 2015 the Tea Party was 50 dollars per person, but you only paid that if you won the lottery and made it into the Tea Party. The rest of the events were free.

 

Ohhhh, okay. Thank you so much for getting back to me on that.

 

As it currently stands, I'll be going! I haven't been to a Volks event since the NYC Dolpa back in... 2008? I'm super excited! I've booked the hotel already but I'm thinking of turning this into a longer trip to see more of LA

 

Applications for the Tea Party is open: Dolls Party in LA 2017 | VOLKS USA,Inc.

 

I got my Dolpa application in-- only to find that the hotel block is sold out for Friday and Saturday. : My own damn fault for procrastinating!

Well, the regular hotel rates aren't unreasonable anyway (the discount's only $20 off). I snagged a convention rate for Thursday, though, thought an early arrival might be nice. (More time to get a sense of who's there, who's coming, and what the dark-n-stormys at the bar are like.)

 

I got my application in too! And secured my room earlier in the year as the rewards member rates were really reasonable. I have that Monday off from work because of Labor Day so I'll be Friday-Monday. Still debating if I should add on Thursday and make a nice long weekend out of it!

I'm super surprised and excited to see that the limited items will be for pick-up at the Tea Party!

 

Sometimes room blocks can be re-negotiated to open up more rooms... but I'm not sure if Volks can/will do this. Maybe someone can ask them? (I'm lucky and live locally, so no hotel needed for me.)

I entered for the Tea Party. Hopefully they will let more of us in this time...!

I'm going to have to bring my SD13 Cyndy 2 this time! I'll have to dig up her original outfit... I hope I have it all...!

 

I really hope I can get into the tea party this time!
But I'm going to wait a few days to enter in case I somehow managed to win Williams in the lottery... if not I can add the WS version to my tea party lottery application.

 

Heh, I entered the tea party lottery because I do want to catch up with friends and the Wills was way too tempting. No lottery for him if you get in to the party sounds stellar. Now I'll be chewing off my nails waiting for those results as well as the recent Williams lottery results. Best case scenario I end up with twins.

I haven't booked any flights or hotels because I just wasn't sure if I could do this so soon after the Resin Rose BJD Expo coming up this summer, but if I get in the tea party I'll make the drive and figure out something for where to stay. I should poke the Portland girls and see if they want to try as well.

 

Entered for the tea party with a companion, hopefully I'll get in! I'm considering just paying for a different hotel though. I want the hotel points

 

Good thing - there are a LOT of hotels in very close distance to this one. A huge number of them. Some more affordable than Marriott prices. Bad thing - they are all going to get booked if one waits too long - Disney AND a holiday weekend do not make for lots of hotel space available!

 

I really look forward to attending and meeting more people this time. This sounds like a bigger event than the last LA dolpa. If I'm lucky I might even get a few special items

Regarding the tea party, they have the companion ticket option, does that mean if you enter with someone as a companion then you will either both get in or both not get in?

 

@Etoile Yes, I believe that's the case.

 

I've submitted my application too! Now to keep my fingers crossed that I get in!

@JennyNemesis I forgot to book my hotel too and now the price looks like $300 a night for Friday and Saturday? I guess I will be shopping around for another nearby hotel. Makes me wonder how many rooms were in the hotel block in the first place? And I'm wondering how many people are going to be able to get into the Tea Party this time? I really hope it's more than last time.

I can't believe people will get to pick up the dolls in person! I think we need to do a Williams group shot!

 

I plan to go. Very excited about the dolls being offered.

 

... Wow, jeez! :O I just bought my regular-rate room last night, and I got a rate of 199 for a single, on Friday & Saturday. The Thursday night at the convention rate was 179. I can't explain that difference... unless there's some geographical discrimination going on because it detects from your IP that you're nonamerican, or something. That's weird.

 

If you're staying off property, I heard very good things about the Residence Inn that's a half block away on Katella where the exit from the Hilton parking is. We had several staff members there during WonderCon, and they all had good things to say.

I would also recommend to avoid the Clarion at all costs. We unfortunately also had staff placed there because of the lack of shoulder nights on move-in at the Hilton, and every one of them had a horrible experience.

 

I think @april and I hung out with you last time. Wear a name tag so we can find you again! I'll try to remember to bring my name tag too.

I hope I can get into the Tea Party this time. It's a larger event so I hope the Tea Party will be bigger as well. Sooo excited!!!

 

Just submitted my application. Hopefully I get accepted for the Tea Party.

When I booked my room. The rate was $199 a night for Fri-Sun. Maybe have someone in the US book the room for you?

 

What are you guys planning to wear for the Tea Party? I know the cruise said to wear masquerade type of clothing, but I wonder if people are doing that for the LA event too?

 

At the last LA Tea Party most people wore nice "going out to lunch with friends" type of clothes, but it was really all over the place since some people had been there since morning and were probably local to the area and not going home to change. The Tea Party itself was Alice in Wonderland themed, but I don't think anyone took that as inspiration for how to dress.

 

There was more a garden party type dress for the last one - and several in lolita styles.

I imagine - with a pirate theme - there might be more dressing up this year.

 

Definitely an opportunity for dress-up! I do have a fabulous Zombie Pirate Wench costume lying around the house... but I dunno if I have a pirate blouse that isn't drenched in blood... Ehh, I'll think of something.

 

I have a few pirate outfits from the past...I've dressed up as one at least 3 times for various events..but I lost a lot of weight the last couple of years and now those things don't fit me right XD I am not sure if I want to bother buying something new or just wear something else lol. Also since I'm flying I don't know if I want to bring my (fake) flintlock pistol, and big pirate hat haha.

 

Heh. I'm sure if your fake flintlock is in checked baggage, you'll be fine! But weapons are probably not important for this event... Make pirate love not war!

I've got pirate garb... a bunch of us dressed up for the 2006 Volks Mansion Halloween Party as pirates (sort of unplanned, on my part, at least--but pirates were big then). We got a photo with Mr. Shigeta (photo by brucedabold) --
06-10-VolksHalloween-BruceThomas_0109 by aprilllee, on Flickr

 

Silly, one should ALWAYS have a pirate costume in one's current size on hand! It's just one of life's basics.

 

I wonder if I could get the spouse to bring his Jack Sparrow costume? He makes an incredible Jack.

Room is booked. We're staying longer but will be moving hotels (or staying with friends - cheaper!). Tea party entries submitted for each of us. We thought about the 2-for-1 ticket, but that's only one entry into one-offs and...he's luckier than me. (Ofc this means he'll get in and I won't like last year, lol.)

 

The SOs are always more lucky than the primary doll folks! It's just one of the facts of life when it comes to these things.

And yes... everyone should have a pirate costume in their wardrobe!

 

Hahaha XD Well I think I can make the skirt work from this ensemble from 2009 or just try to find a new one, or make my sister
take it in a bit for me lol.

 

Never been there before, hope I can go to there this year

 

I've never gone to a Dolpa before... Is there a badge you have to buy ahead of time for it, like a normal convention? I'm low-key thinking of entering the cruise lottery, and making the trip if I happen to win a spot. But I know zero about Volks events. XP

 

I also submitted my entry to the tea party lottery @ w @ I don't know if I'll still go if my friend and I don't get in though;;;

I think it's free to enter-- but you have to enter the lottery for the tea party and pay for admission if you win. Was there another cruise announced? The masquerade one in Japan is already over.

 

Alas....I entered the tea party application. Entered for Reisner Shadow of Captain Yo-MIDI since I have the big Reisner. I felt tempted to enter for big Williams but have no appetite for another big doll. See how things go from here.

I am not in a hurry to book a room because the DoubleTree Hotel is also a good hotel to stay although it's best to stay at the event Hotel. If I do not get to attend the tea party, I assume you guys will be organizing your own group dinners and outings which will be just as fun.

 

I just assumed the tea party was on the cruise ship since it said it went from japan to LA so I guess I just thought it was on the boat. I could've read it wrong. >_<

 

Looks like accommodations is becoming an issue. The prices have gone up and DoubleTree is sold out for Sept 1 to Sept 4th slot although there is still availability for Sept 1 to 2. I am considering booking Best Western at a budget and renting a car. Alternatively, is anyone here considering sharing a room with me at either the Marriott or DoubleTree? I shared room in Orlando (where i got the big Reisner) when Volks did a small event at IDEX. I remember the Hyatt (Anaheim convention center) but i believe that is too expensive.

 

There's a Hyatt Place somewhat near the ACC, around the corner on Harbor to the south of Convention Way. The regular Hyatt is on Chapman, which is a bit away from ACC. You can walk it, but having done it, I can tell you it's a hike.

The two main hotels in the ACC "complex" are the Hilton and the Marriott (they're the closest), then the Clarion and Sheraton Park (slightly farther, but still on the main "drive"). In the same block/general area as the ACC are the Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, The Portofino, the Cortona, the Courtyard. There is a Hyatt House across Harbor at the corner of Harbor and Katella, a Red Lion slightly closer on that same side of Harbor, just north of Disney parking, and a Homewood Suites south of it.

Once you get closer to Orangewood or past Katella, there are many more, such as the Doubletree.

 

I'm not surprised. Three day weekends at the end of summer - prime hotel time in the Disney area. I would really recommend people look now - as it's basically already too late, and you might end up paying more, farther away than you'd like. Unless you use a 'non-cancellation' type booking, you should be able too cancel if you need to later. For those who are not in the US - This first weekend of Sept is Labor Day - and is a day a lot of Americans get a holiday. Unless you are in the service industry (restaurant/shopping/hotel/amusement), where it's a busy working weekend.

 

Thanks clochette for the info, that makes sense now. It's been more than 10 years since I visited Anaheim. These hotels are all coming back to my mind. I presented at a conference in ACC, could not get a room at the Clarion, did not want my employer to splurge on the Hyatt (stupid me), I then ended up at the DoubleTree.

I'm not sure when Volks will let us know if we get to attend the tea party and the lottery results. If I attend, I am thinking of taking my mom to Disneyland and Hollywood. Since I am traveling from Canada, I might as well make more out of the trip. I have been to these places but not my mom.

elf-ears: Accommodations must be booked early for sure. Even without a long weekend, hotels around the ACC can be fully booked when there's a major conference.

 

If anyone is looking for a little less $$ hotel-wise, there is a Travelodge and a Ramada less than half a mile from the Marriott.

I think once Tea Party acceptance e-mails start coming in there will be more hotel sharing posts/people looking for roommates. I know I'm still trying to solidify my plans!

 

I wish it wasn't on the holiday weekend... Labor Day weekend is always such travel madness! I'm arriving on Thursday, but I'm sure the airports and hotels and traffic will be jammed anyway. But I guess spending 3 days hiding indoors at a hotel and playing with dolls is as good a way to spend the crowded weekend.

 

All righty, I put an entry in for the LA tea party, for myself and a guest using the companion ticket option. I just specify in case the win ratio turns out to be different (for better or worse) between the pairs and single tickets.

What's the measurements of an SD17's box, as compared to SD10? Trying to think how I'd get Williams home on the plane in the event of a win, if his box would be comparable to Charlotte's size-wise.

 

If I get in the tea party, I'll definitely be looking for a roommate! So keep me in mind.

I'm thinking of shipping Williams to my house instead of bringing him on the plane since I'll have connection flights. I'm just a bit intimidated of the idea of trying to take the box with me on a plane. Has anyone traveled with a doll box that size before?

 

The box is at least 70cm! SD17 is 65cm himself. It's a big-ass box.

I've heard of people flattening the boxes for travel, then packing the doll separately. I've also known folks who throw the box away, but I wouldn't want to throw an LE Silver Coin box away because they're so pretty.

 

My SD17 Kiriko's box is 71cm L x 21cm W x 15cm H

 

I'm late to the thread, but I'm super excited for the Dolpa. I hope everyone can get in!!

 

I booked the Clarion! Thursday to Sunday. Even if I don't get into the tea party, I still plan of going. I'm taking my mom to Disneyland. I have not attended an official dolpa before, I assume the doll displays will be enjoyable and it's super nice to meet everybody with their dolls. Not attending the tea party also means that I have a more generous budget for other things.

The SD17 box goes into the LARGEST luggage size (check in luggage). You DO NOT want to carry the box by hand on internal flights. It's very risky, if the flight is full, you will be asked to throw the box away. Even if you carry the SD17 doll in a doll carrier, you might still not be able to get it onto the flight by hand if the flight is full. This is no joke, I shipped my SD17 Reisner box (empty) from Orlando to Philadelphia a few years ago after IDEX. I hand carried SD17 Reisner (the new doll) along with SD16 Yukinojou on the flight, could not find a place for the doll carrier bag as all the overhead compartments were full, I ended up stuffing the 2 dolls under the seat. After arriving home, I was very worried about the safe arrival of the box. Reisner was not cheap, I won't want to lose or damage the box. It was a hassle. So, please, please, bring the largest size empty suitcase. The experience of bringing home Reisner is still fresh in my mind. I entered the lottery for an SD Midi this time. What a relief.

 

@JennyNemesis @Pixie-Pan @stargazer_i Thanks for the box dimensions and flight carrying suggestions for SD17s! So the box squarely falls outside the dimensions allowed for carry-ons, as it's just 4" too long for the 24" max. I was previously wondering if a decent strategy might be to request a fragility waiver from the airline gate staff, similar to how they allow oversized musical instruments into the cabin due to fragility. Of course, the risk is that they could say no, which would then result in a missed flight while alternate shipping arrangements were made anyway. So, probably not worth it.

I like Stargazer's suggestion of checking the doll box inside a large suitcase. I definitely wouldn't want to ditch the box (or be forced to do so by staff), and that sounds like a good way of getting everything home. Cool!

Actually, I wonder if the SD17 doll itself would fit inside one of Volks' old hardshell violin cases, for transportation inside the airplane cabin. I have one of those that I have successfully used to transport Dollfie Dream on a plane in the past, and got no question from airline staff since it just looks like a violin, something they seem to automatically allow even if it's longer than carryon regulations. The case will fit DDs and SD10 with room to spare, but is it enough spare room for the big boys, I wonder? Mayhap need to get this out and measure to find out.

 

I've been debating whether to attend but decided I'd regret if I didn't at least try. Like in 2015 I'll base whether I go on if I get into the tea party and figure out hotel/transportation after. The theme this year is much cooler but the venue change is looking to be inconvenient. Will be looking for roomies if I get in.
Last time was a great experience and I hope this year is even better.
I totally have pirate garb to wear to the party too!